will permit trade, cannot
fail to become pecuniarily rich, even with the drawback of the towns of
Lower Canada being rendered inland for half the year by means of ice.
Lower Canada has been crippled by the policy of Cardinal Richelieu,
who, by that policy, paradoxical as it may appear, was her first
benefactor. A theocratic government, no doubt excellent for the taming
of Indians, is not by any means well adapted for an intelligent people.
So long as the trade of Canada was confined to furs the Jesuitical
policy of Richelieu was advantageous, but now that the Indians are
nearly exterminated--two millions of acres under cultivation--millions
of feet of pine, birch, oak and other timber used or exported
annually--and manufactures abounding--a somewhat more self reliant
spirit is requisite than the establishment of Churches under the
extraordinary control of a single mitred head will permit. Such a
spirit is being gradually aroused, and the more gradual the more
permanent will it be. Violence begets violence. Example is more
persuasive than force.

De Monts, or rather de Lauzon, was succeeded by the Baron D'Avaugour,
the last of the Fur Governors, a weak, stupid man, who had almost by
his imbecility and vacillation suffered the business of his employers
to be extinguished. The Iroquois most vigorously waged war during his
time upon every other tribe of Indians. They altogether exterminated
the Eries, and in their very wickedness, did good in rendering their
country more susceptible to colonization by Europeans. D'Avaugour was
recalled. The Hundred Associates resigned their charter into the hands
of the French king, who transferred the company's privileges to the
West India Company. M. de Mesy was appointed governor by the Crown, and
for a council of advice he had a Vicar Apostolic and five others, one
of whom was a kind of Inspector General, and another a Receiver
General. To this Governor and Council the power of establishing Courts
of Justice, at Three Rivers and Montreal, was confided. Courts of Law
were established soon after De Mesy's arrival, and four hundred
soldiers were obtained from France to enable His Excellency to cause
the law to be respected. De Mesy, of a proud and unbending temper,
quarrelled with his Council, sneered at the settlers, and governed with
a rod of iron. He cared neither for Vicar Apostolic, nor for Finance
Ministers. Nay, he went so far, after quarrelling with the Jesuits, as
to send two mem